U.S. patent application number 10/559488 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-15 for method and system for ordering and performing printing services and postal services.
Invention is credited to Juergen Hofmann, Joachim Rick.
Application Number | 20070061224 10/559488 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33482297 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070061224 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hofmann; Juergen ; et
al. |
March 15, 2007 |
Method and system for ordering and performing printing services and
postal services
Abstract
The invention relates to a method for ordering and performing
printing services and mailing services in a system in which a user
can generate an order for an individual piece of mail that is to be
sent on an order component of the system in a way that involves
little effort on the part of the user, and the user has a great
deal of freedom in selecting the design of the mail.
Inventors: |
Hofmann; Juergen; (Koeln,
DE) ; Rick; Joachim; (Koenigswinter, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARSHALL, GERSTEIN & BORUN LLP
233 S. WACKER DRIVE, SUITE 6300
SEARS TOWER
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Family ID: |
33482297 |
Appl. No.: |
10/559488 |
Filed: |
April 29, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
April 29, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/DE04/00893 |
371 Date: |
October 16, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
705/26.81 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/0635 20130101;
G06Q 10/08 20130101; G07B 2017/00072 20130101; G07B 17/00024
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/027 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 30/00 20060101
G06Q030/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 28, 2003 |
DE |
103 24 539.1 |
Claims
1. A method for the automated ordering and performing of printing
services and mailing services in a mailing service system, with
which order data for mail to be printed and sent is generated on an
order component, comprising the steps of: generating order data
with an order component, whereby the order data comprises at least
one image motif and delivery information, transmitting the order
data to a database via an interface, editing the order data into a
printing order in an editing component that is connected to a
database, transmitting the printing order to a printing production
component, generating a piece of mail in the printing production
component, transferring the piece of mail to a distribution system,
and invoicing the printing service and the mailing service via an
invoicing component.
2. The method according to claim 1, comprising the order component
generating an order for mail to be printed and sent in that a user
selects at least one image motif and provides delivery
information.
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the image motif for an
order is an image generated on one of a user side and an image from
a selection.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the mail to be printed
and sent is one of a postcard, a greeting card and a folding
card.
5. The method according to claim 1, comprising the invoicing
component at least partially invoicing a user of the mailing
service system for the printing service and the mailing service,
whereby the order for mail to be printed and mailed is user
generated.
6. The method according to claim 1, comprising the invoicing
component at least partially invoicing a user who is signed up with
a mailing service system for the printing service and the mailing
service, whereby the order for mail to be printed and mailed is not
user generated.
7. The method according to claim 1, comprising invoicing for the
printing service and the mailing service via the invoicing
component before printing and sending the mail.
8. The method according to claim 1, comprising generating the order
for mail to be printed and sent via applications of a website
connected to an associated server, and transmitting the order data
to the database via an interface.
9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the website connected
to the associated server is one of a website of the mailing service
system and a website of a sponsor.
10. The method according to claim 8, comprising automatically
redirecting a user by an appropriate link on a website of a sponsor
to applications on a website of the mailing service system, wherein
the user employs these applications to generate an order for mail
to be printed and sent, and the server transmits the data for an
order to a database.
11. The method according to claim 10, comprising carrying out
automatic redirecting of the user from the website of the sponsor
to the website of the mailing service system via a reciprocal
communication process between a server of the sponsor and a server
of the mailing service system.
12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the reciprocal
communication process comprises checking whether the user has
accessed the website of the mailing service system via the website
of the sponsor.
13. The method according to claim 12, wherein no order can be
generated if the verification reveals that the user did not access
the website of the mailing service system via the website of the
sponsor.
14. The method according to claim 8, comprising generating the
order for mail to be printed and sent on a website of a sponsor and
an associated server transmitting the data for the order to a
server of the mailing service system that transmits the data to the
database.
15. The method according to claim 1, comprising generating the
order for mail to be printed and sent by a mobile terminal and
transmitting data for the order to a database via an interface.
16. The method according to claim 15, comprising transmitting the
data to the interface via a second interface.
17. The method according to claim 16, comprising converting the
second interface the data into a format that can be processed by
the interface.
18. (canceled)
19. A system for the automated ordering and performing of printing
services and mailing services, with which an order for mail to be
printed and sent can be generated on an order component by a user,
comprising an order component for generating order data, whereby
the order data comprises at least one image motif and delivery
information, an interface to transmit the order data from an order
component to a database, an editing component connected to the
database for producing printing orders from the order data, a
printing production component connected to the database for
generating the mail, an invoicing component connected to the
database for purposes of invoicing for the printing service and the
mailing service.
20. The system according to claim 19, wherein the order component
of comprises a website and an associated server.
21. The system according to claim 20, wherein the order component
comprises a mobile terminal.
22. The system according to claim 19, wherein the interfaces is an
http interface.
23. The system according to claim 21, wherein in order to transmit
data for an order between a mobile terminal and the interface, a
second interface is located in-between, whereby the second
interface is configured in such a way that it converts data
received from the mobile terminal into a format that is processed
by the interface.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to a method for the automated ordering
and performing of printing services and mailing services in a
mailing service system, with which the order data for mail to be
printed and sent is generated on an order component.
[0003] The invention also relates to a system for carrying out a
method for the automated ordering and performing of printing
services and mailing services in a mailing service system.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Technology
[0005] In known systems for printing services in combination with
mailing services (mailing service systems), so-called hybrid mail
services are becoming more and more widespread. Providers of such
services allow the users of an associated system to submit
electronic data for postal products such as letters, postcards,
mailings, etc., after which this data is edited and optionally
provided with other added-value services converted into the
physical final products. Afterwards, the addressed products are
forwarded to a logistics process for purposes of distribution.
[0006] The addressed mail can be, for example, either classic types
of letters or postcards or else electronic messages in the form of
e-mails. Such mailings are used in large volumes especially for
advertising and/or information campaigns. For example,
comprehensive mailing campaigns are used to publicize new companies
to certain segments of the population and to mail out information
brochures or catalogs. Moreover, for certain occasions such as
special sales and events, information mailings are sent out in
large volumes. Mailing campaigns of various types are also suitable
for sending cards for holidays, for example, at Christmas time.
[0007] Typically, however, utilization of the service is associated
with many restrictions and obstacles for users of a hybrid mailing
system. For example, minimum batch sizes are required since
otherwise the production is not cost-effective for the provider of
the service. Moreover, invoicing for the individual services is not
cost-effective for the service providers if they do not require
certain minimum batch sizes. Furthermore, normally speaking, a
special auxiliary means for the user is needed for generating the
electronic data. This is often special software that has to be
installed in the customer's environment in order to edit the
customer data in such a way that it can be prepared for a printing
order submitted to the provider. It is also a known procedure to
use converters at the provider's facilities in order to be able to
edit transmitted customer data so as to prepare it for
production.
[0008] However, the generation of an order for printing and mailing
an individual piece of mail whose design can be selected by the
user is not possible with such systems. Therefore, there is a need
for a method and a system that allow a user to commission a service
system provider, for example, with the personalized printing of an
individual postcard and the subsequent sending of the postcard.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,805,810 discloses, for example, a method for
generating mailpieces from e-mail messages. The method provides
that an e-mail message is sent in a computer system including at
least one database with an identification of the sender and of the
appertaining recipient as well as a message checking unit. The
database includes address information of senders and recipients.
When an electronic message is sent to the checking unit, it
accesses the database entry pertaining to the sender in a sender
database and determines the sender's address from this. Moreover,
the unit checks whether the ascertained sender has sufficient
credit in an account for sending a mailpiece. Then, on the basis of
the recipient identification, the delivery address of the
registered recipient is ascertained in the recipient database. A
printing component generates a print-out from the text of the
e-mail and provides this mailpiece with the sender and recipient
addresses.
[0010] Moreover, U.S. Pat. Appln. No. 2002/0132609 A1 discloses a
scalable system for transmitting messages that is configured as a
wireless network. Wireless equipment such as PDA's, mobile
telephones, or laptops can send and retrieve messages.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The invention provides a method for ordering and performing
printing services and mailing services in a system in which a user
can generate an order for an individual piece of mail that is to be
sent on an order component of the system in a way that involves
little effort on his part, whereby the user has a great deal of
freedom in selecting the design of the mail. The method should also
make it possible for sponsors to subscribe flexibly to the mailing
service system in order to, for example, carry out advertising
campaigns.
[0012] The invention provides a system for carrying out such a
method for ordering and performing individual printing services and
mailing services.
[0013] This objective is achieved according to the invention by a
method for the automated ordering and performing of printing
services and mailing services in a mailing service system, with
which the order data for mail to be printed and sent is generated
on an order component, whereby the method is characterized by the
following steps:
[0014] generation of order data by means of an order component,
whereby the order data consists of at least one image motif and of
delivery information,
[0015] transmission of the order data to a database via an
interface,
[0016] editing of the order data into a printing order in an
editing component that is connected to the database,
[0017] transmission of the printing order to a printing production
component,
[0018] generation of mail in the printing production component,
[0019] transfer of the mail to a distribution system, and
[0020] invoicing for the printing service and the mailing service
via an invoicing component.
[0021] In an especially preferred embodiment of the invention, the
mail to be printed and sent is a postcard that typically includes
an image motif side and a text side with a greeting text,
optionally with advertising and with delivery information. Other
cards such as, for instance, greeting cards or folding cards can
also be produced. The order component employed can be one of
several means. It is advantageous, for example, to generate an
order for mail to be printed and sent via applications of a website
connected to an associated server. A website or webpage is defined
as an HTML file published on the World Wide Web. The website and
the server can belong to a fixed mailing service system or to
sponsors who can subscribe flexibly to the mailing service system.
The term "sponsors" in this context refers to users of the mailing
service system who make it possible for other users to produce and
send mail, whereby the costs for the services performed are
partially or completely paid for by the sponsor. These sponsors
preferably sign up with the mailing service system, as a result of
which so-called sponsored events are produced having certain
properties such as the duration or the number of sponsored pieces
of mail.
[0022] A fixed mailing service system for ordering and performing
printing services and mailing services can be operated, for
example, by a postal service provider and can have various
components for the automation of the procedures. In addition to an
order component in the form of a website and an associated server,
it is advantageous to have at least one database, an editing
component connected to this database for editing data into printing
orders and suitable interfaces for transmitting the data. It is
also necessary to have a printing production component for
producing mail and an invoicing component for invoicing for
printing services and mailing services that have been performed.
These components can be permanently integrated into the mailing
service system or, as is advantageous, for example, for the
printing production component, they can be segregated from the
system. Thus, various printing service providers can be connected
to the mailing service system of a postal service provider, as a
result of which a high modularity and thus a great flexibility are
achieved. The possibility to printing orders with a batch size of
one has to do especially with the presence of an appropriate
printing production component that is capable of consolidating the
orders into larger orders.
[0023] In an especially preferred embodiment of the invention, an
invoicing component invoices the user for all or part of the costs
incurred for the order he has generated for the printing service
and the mailing service for the mail to be sent via the mailing
service system. This variant corresponds to the usual modality of
payment for a service that has been utilized by a user who has
placed an order. However, it has proven to be advantageous to also
allow other invoicing variants. For example, it can be advantageous
for user groups of a system to offer their customers the
possibility to send mail free of charge or at a reduced rate as an
advertising campaign. With such a sponsoring approach, a customer
can, for instance, select a postcard and send it, whereby the costs
incurred are partially or completely charged to the sponsor in
question. The invoicing component then completely or partially
invoices a user (sponsor) who did not generate the order for the
printing service and the mailing service. In an especially
preferred embodiment of the invention, the invoicing for the
services is carried out before the mail is printed and sent
out.
[0024] In addition to producing orders for mail to be printed and
sent via a website connected to an associated server, it has also
proven to be advantageous that a user can generate an order by
means of a mobile terminal and that the data for an order is
transmitted to an interface of the mailing service system. In order
to provide data that this interface can process, it can be
practical for the data transmitted by the mobile terminal to be
converted, for example, in a second interface located in-between,
into a format that can be processed by the mailing service system
or by the database and the associated interface.
[0025] The generation of an order for mail such as a postcard
comprises at least the provision of delivery information and the
selection of a motif for the postcard to be printed. Moreover, the
user typically supplies a greeting text. In this context, the
postcard motif can be selected by the user from a given collection
or generated and provided by the user himself. Selectable motifs
can be predefined, for example, by the mailing service system or by
a sponsor. Here, it is especially advantageous for the sponsor that
he can integrate the desired properties, such as advertising
slogans, into the motifs. Especially in an embodiment in which an
order is generated on a mobile terminal such as a mobile telephone,
it is advantageous for a user that he can produce current images or
photographs with a function of the mobile telephone and can then
send these in the form of a postcard.
[0026] If a user generates an order for mail to be printed and sent
via a website connected to an associated server, then a number of
sub-variants are possible, especially if sponsors are involved. The
selection of the image motifs and the generation of the orders can
be carried out completely on the website of the mailing service
system or completely on the website of a sponsor so that the
sponsor merely transmits the orders to the mailing service
system.
[0027] The descriptions of the payment for services by a sponsor
are especially preferred, but the invention is not limited to
application cases in which a sponsor is involved. The invention
allows a flexible invoicing for services so that the function of
the sponsor can, of course, also be assumed by other sponsors of
services. The invention utilizes a simple capability for invoicing
for mailing services and is thus not restricted to individual
application cases for payment of the invoices.
[0028] The invoices can be paid, for example, by transmitting a
subscriber identification number and by making a comparison with a
database containing the subscriber identification number and by
withdrawing a monetary amount from a user account assigned to that
number.
[0029] In this embodiment of the method, of the system and of the
devices for carrying out the invention, the subscriber thus
identified is the sponsor 60. However, it is likewise possible for
the function of the sponsor 60 to be assumed by another
sponsor.
[0030] The invention also comprehends a system for carrying out a
method for the automated ordering and performing of printing
services and mailing services in which an order for mail to be
printed and sent can be generated on an order component.
[0031] In an especially preferred embodiment of the invention, the
system includes at least the following components:
[0032] an order component for generating order data, whereby the
data consists of at least one image motif and of delivery
information,
[0033] means for transmitting the order data from an order
component to a database via an interface,
[0034] an editing component connected to the database for producing
printing orders from the order data,
[0035] a printing production component connected to the database
for generating the mail,
[0036] an invoicing component connected to the database for
purposes of invoicing for the printing service and the mailing
service.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0037] Additional advantages, special features and practical
embodiments of the invention will be apparent from the description
below of preferred embodiments of the invention, making reference
to drawings.
[0038] The drawings show the following:
[0039] FIG. 1 a depiction of an especially preferred embodiment of
the mailing service system according to the invention;
[0040] FIG. 2 a depiction of the two printed sides of a postcard
generated with the method and system according to the invention;
and
[0041] FIG. 3 the process sequence during the generation of an
order for a postcard via applications of a website.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0042] FIG. 1 shows an especially preferred embodiment of the
system according to the invention for ordering printing services
and mailing services. In FIG. 1, a system 10 is delineated
vis-a-vis other components by a broken line in order to illustrate
which components are advantageous for the operation of such a
system. However, various components can be omitted or additionally
integrated. The system is referred to below as "the mailing service
system." The core element of the mailing service system 10 is made
up of a database 31 that serves for data storage and data retrieval
and that is connected to various components of the system. The
entire data management is preferably implemented in a relational
database. An Oracle database, for example, has proven to be
advantageous as the database. The database is connected via an
interface 30 to at least one order component on which an order for
mail to be printed and sent can be generated. The database is also
connected to an editing component 70 for generating printing orders
and to a printing production component 50 to which the generated
printing orders are transmitted in order to produce the mail. It
has proven to be advantageous to use a JDBC interface (Java Data
Base Connectivity interface) as the interface 30. The system also
comprises an invoicing component 91 for invoicing the printing
service and the mailing service performed by the system.
[0043] An order component 20 is a website 21 with an associated
system-side server 22. Via applications of this website 21, a user
can, for example, generate an order for a postcard to be sent,
whereupon the order is transmitted via the interface 30 to the
database 31 and to the components that are connected to it. The
order component can also be a mobile terminal of the type shown by
way of an example in FIG. 1 as a mobile telephone 80. For the
invention, it is advantageous that the user of the mailing service
system 10 can also use such a mobile terminal to generate orders
for printing services and mailing services. Here, postcard motifs
can be offered to the user for selection via the mobile telephone.
However, it is especially advantageous if the user can select
digital images generated by the mobile telephone as image motifs
for a postcard.
[0044] If a user generates an order via a mobile terminal 80, then
this order is likewise transmitted via the interface 30 to the
database 31. For the conversion of data and/or for additional
applications, a second interface 81 can be provided between the
interface 30 and the mobile terminal 80. This second interface 81
serves, for example, to convert the data format and/or to check the
address.
[0045] The editing component 70 includes at least two components
that are referred to here as back-end services 71 and 72. One of
these components serves to generate the image motif whereas the
other component generates preview data and printing data. The
database is connected to at least one printing production component
50 to which the printing orders generated by the back-end services
are transmitted. The printing production component can be a fixed
component of the mailing service system or can be connected to the
system modularly. This can be, for example, one or more printing
service providers that print mail on behalf of the system. The
printing production component generates mail 40 on the basis of the
received data and then transfers the mail to a distribution system
90. The distribution system can include various sorting and
distribution means for delivering mail to a recipient on the basis
of the delivery information provided by the user. In a preferred
embodiment of the invention, a connection exists between the
printing production component 50 and an invoicing component 91, so
that a message about a printing and/or sending job that has been
carried out can be sent to this invoicing component.
[0046] In an especially preferred embodiment, the system 10
includes at least another user of the system who will be referred
to below as the sponsor 60. The sponsor is flexibly associated with
the system and preferably has a website 61 with applications and an
associated server 62.
[0047] With the method according to the invention, the order
component is used to generate an order for a printing service in
conjunction with a mailing service. This is preferably an order for
sending a postcard. For this purpose, a user selects an image motif
for printing the postcard and provides delivery information for
sending the card. The image motif can be selected in different
ways. For one thing, the system offers the user a selection of
image motifs among which he can choose. On the other hand, it can
be advantageous that the user can generate his own image motif and
can transmit it to the system 10 together with delivery
information.
[0048] In an especially preferred embodiment of the invention, the
depicted order component 20 is a website 21 connected to an
associated server 22 that the user calls, for example, on a
computer. The connection between the user and the website 21 and
thus with the server 22 is preferably established via the Internet.
The user generates orders for printing services and mailing
services via a mobile terminal 80, which preferably reach the
system as MMS messages (Multimedia Messaging Service) via smtp or
http.
[0049] In an especially preferred embodiment of the invention, the
orders for printing services and mailing services are orders for
which low or no costs are incurred by the user. The costs are
assumed by a sponsor 60. For example, it can be advantageous for a
sponsor to make this sponsored service available to other users of
the system for advertising purposes. Users can then visit a website
by means of which they can send postcards free of charge or at a
reduced rate. The website can be the website 21 of the mailing
service system or the website 61 of the sponsor. Moreover,
sub-variants are also possible in which, for example, the sponsor
makes special card motifs available, but the user pays the card
price.
[0050] If a sponsor 60 wants to provide sponsored card motifs via a
payment route in which a user can generate an order but the costs
for carrying out the order are charged to the sponsor, then he
signs up with the mailing service system for a sponsorship
campaign, referred to as a sponsored event below. Sponsored events
are sponsorship campaigns with certain attributes such as, for
example, a beginning date and an ending date as well as maximum
upper limits. Maximum upper limits can be augmented in that periods
are defined for which these upper limits are valid. For example, an
upper limit could be defined as "500 cards per day" or as a global
upper limit "1000 cards over the total period of time". The
sponsored events are preferably stored in table form in the
database 31 of the system. A sponsored event is always associated
with precisely one product and precisely one sponsor. A sponsor can
have any desired number of sponsored events.
[0051] The database 31 assumes at least the following tasks within
the system 10:
[0052] central provision of data logics and
[0053] central data management.
[0054] All of the applications of the system advantageously manage
their data via this database. The term "application" normally
refers to any user programs or comprehensive software packages such
as, for example, database applications. The database 31 manages
central objects such as sponsors, event status and motifs in
addition to other objects. Moreover, all parameterization and
control data of the applications as well as at times even the
application itself can be managed via the database. The tables
employed do not serve exclusively to define and configure the
sponsored events, but rather, applications also actively write into
this table. For example, the number of orders already sent or the
computed monetary amounts can be increased in order to deactivate
the event when the specified upper limits have been reached.
[0055] In an especially preferred embodiment of the invention, a
table for sponsored events contains at least the following entries:
TABLE-US-00001 ZERO Column Type allowed Meaning SP_EVENT_ID
NUMBER(15) no Unambiguous designation for the sponsored event
EVENT_NAME VARCHAR2(50) no Name of the sponsored event
(informative) ACTIVE_FLAG CHAR(1) no Event active or de-active?,
either, `Y` or PERIOD_REQUESTS NUMBER(10) Number of orders already
generated in the current period PERIOD_AMOUNT_EURO NUMBER(24, 15)
Monetary amount already accumulated during current period
BEGIN_DATE DATE no Beginning date of the sponsored event END_DATE
Ending date of the sponsored event MAX_GLOBAL_REQUESTS NUMBER(24,
15) Maximum global upper limit in orders (requests)
MAX_GLOBAL_AMOUNT_EURO NUMBER(10) Maximum global upper limit in
monetary amounts PERIOD NUMBER(10) Duration of period in days
PERIOD_NO NUMBER(10) Current period MAX_PERIOD_REQUESTS NUMBER(10)
Maximum period upper limit in orders (requests) MAX_PERIOD_AMOUNT
NUMBER(24, 15) Maximum period upper limit in monetary amounts
(requests) GLOBAL_REQUESTS NUMBER(10) no Total number of orders
already generated GLOBAL_AMOUNT_EURO NUMBER(24, 15) no Total number
of monetary amount already accumulated COMPANY_ID NUMBER(20) no
Identification (COMPANY_ID) of the sponsor
[0056] A standard API (Application Programming Interface) has
proven to be especially advantageous for accessing such a table,
said interface having functions such as insert, modify, delete and
search. Moreover, it is advantageous for the API to contain a
function that determines whether a sponsored event is active,
inactive or temporarily inactive, or else that sets this status
when upper limits or the beginning or end of time periods have been
reached.
[0057] The number of sent pieces of mail as well as the already
booked monetary amounts pertaining to a sponsored event can be
counted by a trigger. A trigger increases the number of sent pieces
of mail or else the amount pertaining to an event and subsequently
checks whether the upper limits have been reached yet or not. Once
a maximum upper limit has been reached, the event is
deactivated.
[0058] Various embodiments are possible for sponsored events. For
all of the variants, the sponsor 60 has to provide the mailing
service system 10 with the desired card motifs. Here, the system
can set certain requirements, if applicable. It has proven to be
advantageous to prescribe the transmitted data format, the file
size, the color selection, the resolution and/or the final sizes.
For example, the card motif can be required as a TIFF file, in CMYK
colors, with a resolution of at least 350 dpi (pixels/inch) and a
final size of 15.25 cm.times.10.90 cm (actual postcard format of
14.85 cm.times.10.5 cm+cutting waste). It can be necessary for the
system 10 to edit the image motif so as to prepare it for printing
and to import it into the system's own database. Raw data is
imported, for example, into the system 10 whereas fine data is
imported into the printing production component 50.
[0059] In a first embodiment, a user generates an order for mail to
be printed and sent in that he enters the website 21 of the system
10. Sponsored and non-sponsored image motifs can be offered on this
website. The sponsored image motifs, like the non-sponsored image
motifs for which there will be a charge, are shown in the motif
selection. With the sponsored image motif, a reference to the
sponsor can be made in the form of a text or a logo for advertising
purposes. The user selects an image motif and, together with
delivery information, generates the order that is transmitted to
the database 31 and to the components connected to it.
[0060] This embodiment involves the least effort for the sponsor
60. He merely has to provide the system 10 with the image motif.
The user can either enter the website 21 directly or else the
sponsor creates a link to the website of the system on his own
website 61 and on the associated server 62. This embodiment,
however, does not allow any further-reaching integration of the
sponsor into the system 10. Moreover, any user of the website of
the system can see the sponsored image motifs and can send them
free of charge. Hence, a restriction to users who have previously
visited the website of the sponsor is not possible.
[0061] In a second embodiment, a user selects the image motif of
the desired postcard on the website 61 of the sponsor and sends the
postcard via the system 10. The internal motif selection of the
system 10 is not accessible to the user in this case. This variant
ensures that the user has to have visited the website of the
sponsor in order to be able to send a free postcard. The user is
automatically redirected by appropriate links on a website of a
sponsor to applications on a website of the mailing service system.
The user employs these applications to generate an order for mail
to be printed and sent, and the server of the mailing service
system transmits the data for an order to the database. This form
entails a bit more effort on the part of the sponsor. This is
mainly due to the need to ensure that the user of the system 10
truly accesses the system 10 from the website of the sponsor. The
automatic redirecting of the user from the website of the sponsor
to the website of the mailing service system is preferably carried
out via a reciprocal communication process between the server of
the sponsor and the server of the mailing service system. In order
to ensure that a user of the system 10 has come from the website of
a sponsor 60, the following method has proven to be especially
advantageous:
[0062] The sponsor 60 loads a special page of the website 21 via
HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol, secure). This can be done, for
example, via an ASP, CGI or JSP program. The abbreviation ASP
stands for "Active Server Pages". These are active Internet pages.
These pages can contain, for example, scripts that are executed on
a server before they appear in the browser. The designation CGI
stands for "Common Gateway Interface" and is a data exchange
interface between a web server and a client that is capable of
receiving CGI-compliant data and if applicable, of further
processing said data and sending it back to the server. The
abbreviation JSP stands for "Java Server Pages". JSP pages are HTML
files with specifically marked embedded java programs.
[0063] The special page of the website 21 is protected in order to
prevent third parties from sending cards at the expense of the
sponsor. First of all, the server 62 of the sponsor 60 has to
identify himself vis-a-vis the system 10 by entering an unambiguous
key for the sponsored event in question. This identification (ID)
is provided ahead of time by the system. Secondly, an ACL (Access
Control List) ensures that only authorized IP addresses of various
sponsors can gain access. Only computers of a network cited in this
list are allowed to access certain services of the network. The
sponsor in question has to provide his IP address ahead of time.
The system 10 then clears it. Even higher security can be achieved
by using client certificates.
[0064] In response to the call, the system responds with a session
ID. This session ID is the key for the user to send a free
postcard. The program on the web server 62 of the sponsor 60
evaluates the response and redirects the user to the website 21 of
the system. This can advantageously be done via a link or redirect.
Filling in and sending a desired postcard is done via various pages
of the website of the system 10 as already described. If the
verification reveals that a user did not access the website of the
mailing service system via the website of the sponsor, then no
order can be generated. The main effort involved with this
embodiment lies in the implementation of the protocol for the
requests for a session ID.
[0065] In another embodiment of the invention, the pages of the
mailing service system 10 that are needed to fill in and send the
card can be adapted individually to the website 61 of a sponsor 60
and can be visually integrated into the website of the sponsor.
Here, too, first of all, a session ID is requested and the user is
subsequently redirected to the website 20 of the system 10. The
postcards are still filled in and sent via the system 10, but the
design of the surface can be changed almost entirely at will.
Instead of the individual default pages of the system, individually
adapted pages of the sponsor are displayed. Except for the sequence
of the pages and the parameters to be transferred on the individual
pages, the design of the pages is subject to almost no
restrictions.
[0066] This complete integration into the website of the sponsor
entails the most effort. Various HTML pages have to be generated,
checked and integrated into the system. For this purpose, the pages
have to be transferred to the system 10. There they are preferably
tested and integrated.
[0067] If the sponsor wants, for example, to use his own editors or
to generate cards automatically, then, in another embodiment of the
invention, he can also submit the orders directly on the server
side without any user interaction. The. sponsor 60 does not make
use of the pages of the system 10 but rather generates the
necessary data himself and then submits this data on the server
side to the server 22 of the system 10, which then accepts the data
and books the cards. The order for mail to be printed and sent is
thus generated on the website of a sponsor and the associated
server transmits the data for the order directly to the server of
the mailing service system that transmits the data to the
database.
[0068] The compilation of the postcard data and the submission of
the data to the system can also take place in a completely
asynchronous manner. The sponsor 60 can, for example, collect the
card data in a database and submit it to the system once per
day.
[0069] If a sponsor is making use of the direct submission
modality, he does not need a session ID but rather can make a
direct submission in one single call. In this process, in addition
to the card data, he also transfers a sponsor key with which he is
identified in the mailing service system 10 and with which the
sponsored event to be used can be ascertained. For reasons of
downward compatibility, it has proven to be advantageous that, with
this direct submission modality, instead of a sponsor key, a
sponsored session ID that was previously requested is also
accepted. The access to the direct submission modality is
preferably likewise protected by web server ACL's in order to
prevent the unauthorized sending of cards at the expense of the
sponsor. Even greater security can be achieved through the use of
client certificates. Moreover, it has proven to be advantageous to
provide the caller with a method with which he can check whether
his order has been properly accepted.
[0070] In another embodiment of the invention, the sponsor does not
provide a selection of his own image motifs that a user can send
free of charge or at a reduced rate but rather, the user can
generate his own image motif and send it at the expense of the
sponsor.
[0071] By way of an example, FIG. 3 shows the process sequence for
the generation of an order for a postcard to be printed and sent
via applications of a website. The process starts on a beginning
page for which a layout has been produced. The layout for the
beginning page and other pages can be defined by the mailing
service system 10 or, for example, freely designed by a sponsor.
When the website 21 of the mailing service system is called via a
sponsor, then it is not the standard pages of the mailing service
system that are displayed but rather the pages generated by the
sponsor.
[0072] On the beginning page, a list containing the names of all of
the active categories of image motifs is shown in a prescribed
sorted arrangement. When the user moves the mouse pointer over a
category, the zoom image of this category is displayed to the left
of the category list (CategoriesList). Initially, the zoom image of
the first category in accordance with the sorting is preferably
displayed. When the user clicks on a category from the list, an
overview page for the category is opened. On the beginning page,
there can also be a link that directs the user to the branch of the
application in which he can upload his own image motif. The page
that then appears is designated in FIG. 3 with "upload". This is
where a motif API for reading out the category information has
proven to be advantageous.
[0073] The page "CategoriesList" shows a list of the preview images
of all of the active categories. When a user clicks on a preview
image, he gets to the image motif overview of the selected category
(CategoryView). These is where a motif API for reading out the
category information has likewise proven to be advantageous.
[0074] The page with the motif list "CategoryView" shows the
preview images of all of the active image motifs in the selected
category. When the user clicks on a motif, he gets to the page
"MotifView". On this page, the zoom image of the motif is shown in
order to provide the detailed motif view. Already before the later
payment procedure, price information for a selected image motif can
be displayed on this page ahead of time. This can only be
information about the non-postage constituents since the user only
decides on later pages where he will send his card and
consequently, the postage information is not yet available at this
time. A motif API has proven to be advantageous for reading out the
category and image information while a pricing API has proven to be
advantageous for determining and displaying the price.
[0075] If the user has decided to use his own image motif, he
uploads his motif on the "upload" page. For example, he can
determine the file to be used via a "browse" button. A "continue"
button initiates the upload and sends the data to "OwnMotif
Preview", which accepts the data and generates and delivers the
preview image.
[0076] OwnMotifPreview accepts the image data and checks it to make
sure that the file is not larger than a maximum permissible upper
limit. If the file provided is larger than a configured upper limit
(MaxDenySize), attempted fraud can be assumed. The upload is
interrupted and advantageously an error message is returned.
[0077] If the data was accepted and no error detected, then the
application carries out a preliminary check of the image. Here, it
is checked whether:
[0078] the image has a valid JPG header,
[0079] the file name ends in .jpg or .jpeg (case-sensitive)
[0080] the dpi number is not higher than the maximum permissible
number (upper limit preferably configurable, default is, for
instance, 300)
[0081] the file size is not larger than the maximum permissible
size (upper limit preferably configurable, default is, for
instance, 300 KB)
[0082] If the file does not meet the requirements, an error page
can be displayed. If the file is correct, a MOTIF_BUILDER task is
initiated and the file is stored as a Task_File. The task generates
a preview image from the JPG of the user showing how the image will
be positioned on the postcard and showing the print PDF. The
application queries the status of the task in configurable
intervals (polling). If the result is within a configurable period
of time, the preview page is delivered with the preview image. In
the case of images that do not fill the postcard format, the
preview image has a white frame and is displayed with a frame that
is 1 point wide in order to illustrate the positioning for images
that do not fill the postcard format. If the task result is not
present, or if an error has occurred, an error page is
displayed.
[0083] On the preview page (OwnMotifPreview), links to an HTML
editor (EditHTML) and a Java editor (EditJava) are offered to the
user.
[0084] On the page "EditHTML," the user enters his postcard text,
the address data and (optionally) his e-mail address via an HTML
form. The buttons "back", "preview" and "continue" are offered.
"Back" takes the user back to "MotifView" or "OwnMotifView",
depending on whether he is using his own motif or a standard
motif.
[0085] "Preview" offers the user the optional possibility of a
preview PDF. This is opened in a separate window (TextPeview).
"Continue" stores the data of the user and sends it to
SendPostcard, which creates a UserJob.
[0086] With "preview" and "continue," the user entries are
preferably first pre-checked on the client side with JavaScript.
Here, it is checked, for example, whether a given e-mail address is
RFC-compliant and whether address data was entered. With
"continue", it is also checked whether the General Terms and
Conditions have been accepted. If Germany was selected as the
country, it is checked whether the postal code, city and at least
two additional address fields have been filled in and whether the
postal code, for example, for Germany, has five digits and is
numerical. If an error was found, the user is alerted to the error
by means of an alert box. Once the checking of all of the items has
been successful, the data is sent to a special (server-side)
interaction page.
[0087] With "preview," the interaction page creates a task that
generates print PDF and preview PDF. The application queries the
status of the task in configurable intervals (polling). If the
result is not within a configurable period of time, or if an error
has occurred, an error page is displayed. If the task was
successful, the preview PDF is opened in a separate window
(TextPreview).
[0088] With "continue," the interaction page checks whether current
preview PDFs and print PDFs are present that the user might already
have generated via "preview". If current PDFs are present, then
these are used; the task does not have to be called once again. If
no PDFs are present or if the user has changed his card data in
comparison to the data used for generating the PDF, then a task is
created that generates the PDFs anew. Subsequently, the data is
called at SendPostcard which creates the UserJob.
[0089] On the page "EditJava," the user enters the card text and
the address data via a Java applet. In addition, the reference to
the General Terms and Conditions is incorporated into the applet.
The applet sends the card text data in a special XML format to the
server 22. The advantage of the applet is that the user can be
offered a WYSIWYG functionality ("What You See Is What You Get")
for the data input.
[0090] The buttons "back," "preview," and "continue" are offered.
"Back" takes the user back to "MotifView" or "OwnMotifView,"
depending on whether he is using his own motif or a standard
motif.
[0091] "Preview" offers the user the optional capability of seeing
a preview PDF. This is opened in a separate window (TextPeview).
"Continue" stores the data of the user and sends it to
SendPostcard, which creates the UserJob.
[0092] With "preview" and "continue", the user entries are
preferably first pre-checked on the client side with JavaScript.
The checking is carried out like with the HTML editor.
[0093] The typefaces and colors offered are preferably
configurable. If the user does not select a typeface or color, then
it has proven to be advantageous to utilize a default setting. If
the card text entered does not fit into the surface area intended
for it, then advantageously a warning is generated, but the PDF is
produced. Text that does not fit any more is cut off.
[0094] The page "TextPreview" is loaded by the "preview" button on
EditJava and EditHTML. TextPreview is opened as a separate window
that only contains the generated preview PDF of the text page and
no layout. The user can use the browser functionalities to store or
print the PDF and can then close the window again.
[0095] If the user has generated his card via EditHTML or EditJava,
the order data is sent to SendPostcard. SendPostcard is a page that
is not visible to the user. The page accepts data, checks the
address data and the acceptance of the General Terms and Conditions
in addition to the client-side checking that has already been
carried out (according to the same criteria) and subsequently
creates the UserJob and ascertains the price for the postcard. Once
this checking has been successful, SendPostcard carries out a
redirect to an invoicing component 91 by means of which the payment
will be transacted. This invoicing component will be referred to
below as the billing server.
[0096] The billing server 91 is responsible for transacting the
payment of orders. The billing server can hold modules for an
unlimited number of payment systems. Even though the billing server
is depicted in FIG. 3 as a separate component, it is preferably not
operated in the form of a separate application or instance but
rather, it is an integral part of the front end and will also be
regarded as a part of the front end below.
[0097] The billing server determines which payment methods are
available for an order and offers them to the user for an
interactive payment procedure. For example, micro-payment systems
such as T-Pay, FirstGate, etc. can be used.
[0098] The billing server is preferably expanded in such a way that
the payment procedure for sponsored UserJobs is always executed
automatically without being initiated by the user. For example,
sponsored jobs can be paid for by bank account withdrawal, which
presupposes that the user has an active bank account. If a payment
procedure via a user or a sponsor is confirmed, then the user is
automatically redirected to a confirmation page
(SendConfirmation).
[0099] Regardless of how the order for a postcard to be printed and
sent was generated, the interface 30 transfers the data for this
order to an editing component 70. In an especially preferred
embodiment of the invention, the editing component includes two
so-called back-end services that generate the PDF files that are
preferably needed for the subsequent printing production component
50 as well as the preview files. A back-end service for the image
motif generation component 71 generates preview and printing data
for the image motif. Another component for generating the text
layouts 72 generates a printing and preview PDF of the text page.
The printing files are preferably generated as PDF files in a
special postcard format that has, for example, an additional edge
so as to avoid a white edge or the overlapping with other motifs on
the resultant mail.
[0100] The editing and conversion of data for the production of a
postcard will be described below by way of an example. Here, it has
proven to be advantageous that the text for a postcard to be
produced can be submitted in three formats: plain text, RTF (Rich
Text Format) and XML (Extensible Markup Language).
[0101] The XML format corresponds to the printing instructions as
they are preferably processed on the part of the card production
component. This allows one-lined text blocks, lines and images to
be positioned with millimeter precision. That is why conversion to
the XML format is preferable.
[0102] The plain text format is thus converted into an XML format
in the editing component 70 so that an appertaining
layout-production core only has to be able to process the XML
format. The RTF format is likewise converted into XML by means of a
module.
[0103] The plain text format corresponds to normal, unformatted
text and is supplied by the front end when the user has entered the
text into an HTML component. In this context, the typeface and size
of the entire text on the card can be transferred by the front-end.
It is preferred here for the text that has been entered via a
website or a mobile terminal to be positioned line-by-line by the
back-end services of the editing component. If a text line is wider
than the text area of a postcard, then a line break is inserted at
a suitable space.
[0104] Preferably, the JPG format is supported for the image motif
of a postcard. If the JPG image contains information about its
resolution (in dpi), it is advantageous to use this information in
order to determine the actual size of the image (in mm). If no
information about the resolution is present, then advantageously a
standard resolution is assumed. The standard resolution can be, for
example, 96 dpi.
[0105] The documents to be printed consist of a production text
page 100 and a production image motif page 110, as shown positioned
next to each other in FIG. 2. The documents are preferably
generated as one-page PDF files in a special postcard format that
has an additional edge so as to avoid a white edge or the
overlapping with other motifs on the resultant postcard.
[0106] The production text page 100 can contain, for example,
elements such as the card text 101, delivery information (recipient
address) 102, information on the copyright 103, a company logo 104,
a postage indicium or a postage stamp 105, a prepaid postage
marking 106 and/or a graphic element in the form of a vertical line
107 for dividing the postcard into two sections. The layout of this
page can be predefined, whereby certain parameters such as margins
and distances can advantageously be configured. If the user wants
to upload, for example, his own logo file, this can be done via an
appropriate link.
[0107] In an especially preferred embodiment of the invention, the
back-end services generate a production PDF file and optionally a
preview PDF file. The production PDF file contains a page that is
preferably larger than a normal postcard on which the given text is
positioned.
[0108] In addition to the production PDF file, two different
preview PDF files can be generated:
[0109] a PDF file with a page (DIN A6) in which the text PDF file
is placed over a static PDF file in order to give the customer an
impression of the postcard that is being generated.
[0110] a PDF file on a page that is somewhat larger than DIN A5, on
which the two sides of the postcard (image and text) are arranged
below each other.
[0111] Typefaces that are not standard typefaces in the PDF format
and that are available in the TrueType format are embedded in the
PDF file and can thus be made available to the printer.
[0112] If the user of the system uploads his own image motif, then
a PDF file is generated containing the image motif that was
uploaded by the customer and that is positioned according to
certain rules. If an image is not uploaded in a certain color
model, it can be converted into the requisite color model. Since
the CMYK color model is preferred for the printing of postcards, an
image uploaded in an RGB color model is converted into the CMYK
color model for the production PDF. For the generated preview image
(JPG), the RGB color model can be retained or else the image can be
converted into the RGB color model if CMYK was uploaded.
[0113] The back-end services analyze the image uploaded by the user
and generate a PDF file on this basis for the production and a JPG
image for the preview in the front end. The scaling/positioning is
not carried out by the back-end service but rather, it is
integrated into the PDF file with the appropriate parameters
(width, height, position). Hence, the image can be optimally
computed by a RIP (Raster Image Processor). The image for the
production is converted into the CMYK color model before its
placement into the PDF file, in order to thus achieve an optimal
printing result.
[0114] In addition to the high resolution image in the PDF page, a
JPG image having defined dimensions is generated for purposes of
preview in the front end. This image has a white background and its
layout matches the generated PDF file.
[0115] The editing component 70 transfers the printing orders
generated by the back-end services to a printing production
component 50 that carries out the printing orders. This printing
production component is preferably configured in such a way that it
can generate different postal products. Thus, for example, it can
print postcards or letters. In order to be able to generate all
kinds of postal products with the greatest flexibility possible, it
can be advantageous here to connect various printing production
components to the system 10 and/or to integrate them into the
system. Thus, a given printing production component can, for
instance, generate a specific postal product. When it comes to the
printing production components, these can be the system's own
components or else connected printing service providers that accept
printing orders and, after executing them, transfer them to a
distribution system 90.
[0116] In case the user has selected an image motif for a postcard
from a given collection, these image motifs are present in a local
data memory of the printer as preripped PostScript files with crop
marks. The PostScript files have, for example, the format: 151.5
mm.times.108 mm. The crop marks are configured in such a way that
the image is cropped to a format of 148.5 mm.times.105 mm. For
production purposes, the printing production component 50 needs a
reference to the local file present on the printer.
[0117] There are preripped PostScript files on the collator for all
of the text pages. These files contain, for example, the sponsor
logo, the postage indicium and, the vertical line in the middle.
All other texts (copyright, text field, address field) are located
in a PDF file that was generated by the back-end services. The SDL
(Service Data Line) is an unambiguous numbering for reprints and is
generated during the production.
[0118] If the user uploads his own image file in order to insert it
into the image motif page, then a PDF file containing this image is
needed for the production. This PDF file was generated by a
back-end service. The printing production component 50 inserts crop
marks during the production. The generation of the text page
corresponds to the already described generation of this page when a
user selects given image motifs.
[0119] The method according to the invention and the associated
system for carrying out the method entail various advantages. For
one thing, it allows users of the system to order the sending of
individual pieces of mail, whereby the users have a great deal of
freedom in designing the mail themselves. A user can choose not
only from among a prescribed selection of image motifs, but he can
also upload his own images. Through the preferred generation of
orders via applications on a website, mail can be sent very easily
and does not require any specially adapted auxiliary components on
the user side. Moreover, the generation of orders via a mobile
terminal such as a mobile telephone is a convenient and fast way to
generate digital images and to send them, for example, as a
postcard. In particular for sponsors, the described embodiments for
sponsored events offer various possibilities for using the
sponsored mailing of postcards as an advertising campaign. The
requisite effort for a sponsor website can be chosen in increments
by the sponsor.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0120] 10 mailing service system [0121] 20 order component, front
end [0122] 21 website mailing of service system [0123] 22 server
mailing of service system [0124] 30 interface of front end [0125]
40 mailing product [0126] 50 printing production component [0127]
60 sponsor [0128] 61 website sponsor [0129] 62 server sponsor
[0130] 70 editing component, back-end services [0131] 71 image
motif generation component [0132] 72 text layout generation [0133]
80 mobile terminal [0134] 81 interface of mobile terminal [0135] 90
distribution system [0136] 91 invoicing component/billing server
[0137] 100 text page [0138] 101 card text [0139] 102 delivery
information [0140] 103 information on copyrights [0141] 104 company
logo [0142] 105 postage indicium, postage stamp [0143] 106 prepaid
postage marking [0144] 107 graphic elements for postcard division
[0145] 108 postcard image motif [0146] 110 image motif side
* * * * *